JONESBORO, Ark. (5/12/14) - The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday they have signed former Arkansas State standout wide receiver Julian Jones to a free agent contract.

Jones completed his senior season ranked among the top 10 players in the Sun Belt Conference in both receptions and receiving yards, finishing the 2013 campaign eighth in receptions and ninth in yards. His 52 catches were the second most on the team and the 10th most in school history for a single season.

The Germantown, Tenn., native ended the year with 641 receiving yards, which were the second most on the team as well, and four touchdown receptions that tied J.D. McKissic for the most on the squad. He caught at least one pass in every game, including 10 for 136 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown against Missouri.

Jones concluded his career with 11 touchdown receptions, the sixth most in A-State history. His junior season saw him post seven touchdown receptions, the third most in school history for a single season, on just 13 catches. He recorded 394 receiving yards that season, averaging 30.3 yards per catch. He moved from defensive back to wide receiver as a sophomore in 2011, when he caught four passes for 88 yards.

Jones helped lead Arkansas State to three consecutive Sun Belt Conference championships from 2011-13 and back-to-back GoDaddy Bowl victories in 2013 and 2014.

The Falcons’ announcement came two days after the completion of the NFL Draft, which saw Jones’ teammate and defensive lineman Ryan Carrethers taken by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round. An Arkansas State player has now had a player chosen in a school-record eight consecutive NFL Drafts. Additionally, at least one A-State player has signed an undrafted college free agent contract each of the last five years.